Scientists studied 138 kids over a few years. They gave some vapor rub, some got petroleum jelly rub and some got a vapor rub. Parents were asked to limit the kids' meds and to keep a diary of their kids' nighttime coughs as well as their own sleep.

The results?

The vapor rub worked. They're not sure why, however.

Dr. William Basco concluded, "The improvement in symptoms may be entirely the result of perception -- perception by the child of improved airflow and improved parental perception of how severe the symptoms were because the parent slept better. Whatever the mechanism, the use of vapor rub would appear to offer a potential intervention for parents frustrated by URI symptoms, even if the benefit is entirely from placebo effect."

I have to say it really does seem to work, my 8 month old has a cold and when I use the baby vapor rub it really does help him sleep, and he wakes up less congested. I think he is a little young to be influenced by perception.

Posted By: Susan Reabuck | Mar 31, 2011 1:58:03 PM

It works well if you rub it on the bottom of their feet as well. I have no idea why.

Posted By: Super Sue | Mar 31, 2011 3:37:15 PM

I used the vapor rub for my last cold. It opened up my sinus passages and I was able to get some sleep. My mom used to use a vaporizer when I was a kid so I just carried it over from that.She used to also pin it in a tissue in my jammies. I don't rub it on my chest though, I have sensitive skin. I put it in a tissue and keep it near my face.

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ABOUT THE WRITERS

TIM DARRAGH has been reporting and editing the news for 30 years, most of it at The Morning Call. For much of that time, he's been doing award-winning investigative and in-depth reporting projects. Tim created the three-year-long Change of Heart project, and wrote a series on the state's fractured food inspection system that led to widespread improvements in food safety. Meantime, that novice jogger you see plodding along the streets around Bethlehem Township? That would be Tim.